Happy Birthday!!!

 Levi's 2nd birthday was a blast. Our little boy didn't have any idea what was going to happen that day. We celebrated at Gramma's and Grandpa's house.

Our theme this  year was trains. I made a Thomas the tank Engine Train cake. As you can see it was super sweet, I ended up with a sugar high and so did Levi. He and Landon had so much fun devouring it. The toppings were: Oreo cookies for the wheels, sour peeches for the lights, Smarties for the quarry, gummy bears for the animal cage, ice cream cone as a funnel, black licorice for the train track and us as the passengers. The train is covered with CoolWhip. Sugar overload. The salads we made tasted even better after the cake.

We are so grateful for everyone who came and everyone who helped. I know Levi enjoyed himself and felt everyone's love. Thanks everybody and wished others would have come.  Levi is our beautiful little boy, we are so proud of him. He has achieved his milestones. He definitely has over 200 words. We love been his parents.                                                                                                               

The Big Push

My husband said this week "Having one is easier than having two." He was referring to kids. I have to agree but I would not go back to having just one child. We were blessed with Amaya Maria Cole, our new addition to our family. She was born on the 29th of December 2011, at 4pm, weighing 8.1lbs ,21" long. It came as a surprise to us, we were told she would be smaller than her brother.

Here is our story. I was due on the 22th of December. I had seen my obstetrician a day before my due date and asked to be induced. I somehow knew that she would not come on time and was schedule for an induction on the 27. I had the joy of getting again the foley catheder, not really!. Surprisingly it wasn't as painful as the first time.

We arrived at the hospital the next day before noon. I was given small amounts of oxytosin. It made my labor longer than needed.

One question that I've asked myself is, When does labor start? I soon figured it out, when I started having contractions. The epidural didn't exactly work, so I was in agony for 18 hours. I did not scream, swear or cry. I kept thinking " suck it up! million of women have had kids before , I can do it too."                               

I was so happy to have my husband by my side. He only felt sick twice during the whole experience. We were glad that mom Cole was around to help out. Ben was able to rest and I was never left alone. All I wanted was him there, knowing that we were doing this together, sharing everything, every special moment. When the doctors came in to deliver Amaya the nurse told me " this is the worst part- pushing. It takes on average 2 hours to deliver from now on." I was so disappointed and mortified that I would feel more pain than what I had felt earlier. When the pushing started, I didn't feel much pain. I can say that it was not the worst part. When she came out, I cried of joy. She was there, our baby girl. She looks like her daddy. We love her.

You're my Pumpkin.

Wonderful October.
This month was great. Ben and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary. So much has happened since we knelt at the altar and were sealed for all time and eternity.
We moved from Nova Scotia, started a family, and changed career plans. All great things.

We had a great feast at El Ranchito. We ordered all we desired and left smiling  and aching of satisfaction, basically we pigged out. It is somewhere we wish to return soon. And it was our first night without our adorable son. His first stay at Gramma and Grandpa for the night. We missed him and were at the same time grateful to get the best sleep we've had since his birth. Sleeping in is a luxury as parents. Also I can not forget to mention that Ben gave me the most beautiful bouquet of flowers I've ever seen, they lasted me over 2 weeks. I love flowers but my husband way more.

HALLOWEEN!
Our theme this year was Star Wars. We had hoped to borrow our friends costumes of Princess Leia and Darth Vader. Sadly it didn't work out. Ben ended up been schedule to work that night. We had no costumes, only Levi did have one. He was Yoda. Before going to my in-laws, I found for 20$ a Darth Vader and a Storm Trooper costume. I miraculously fit in the Storm Trooper costume with my big belly and went out with Levi to trick-o-treat.  We knocked 12 doors and then Levi said to me "Up!" I knew then, it was time to head back. Levi is too big and must be weighing about 30lbs.

So here are some comments we received that night: "That is adorable", "What a cute Yoda" , "What a cute sheep" What a cute rabbit". I really tried to hold it in. It was Levi's first time going out for the hunt, he was confused to knock at people's doors and receiving candy. He does not eat candy but we did get healthy fruit bars.

Here are a few things Levi has been doing lately: identifying cars: tatas van, grammas car, tells you that he is filling his pants but will say no! if you ask, dances to all sounds: classical music ,printer ,washing machine , salsa music, learning to put words together, a little helper with laundry, cleaning, garbage and recycling. Two of my new favorite words are "O-ha" = oja = leaf in spanish, "an-hahaha" = naranja = orange in spanish.
Oh and I did finish Levi's quilt about  a month ago, just take a look at him laying on it on my front page. It turned out great. Levi loves it.

Velvita cheese!

 Time is tickin'. I am over 30 weeks and getting nervous. Taking care of two is not my biggest worry, only the D-day. All I want to see happen is my husband by my side when Zoe comes to join us. Yes! Her name is Zoe but only to me. Ben has yet to come up with another name that we both will approve, that or she will be Levi #2. I've searched for her name, prayed about it and went to the temple to receive an answer and I made up my mind. Marriage does not permit me to be selfish and I agree. It will be a joint decision.
Zoe is definitely making herself notice these days. Every night, I feel so bloated and uncomfortable. Like my belly cannot stretch out any more but it can. For my first pregnancy, my innie bellybutton became an outie. Pregnancy #2 has not yet. Levi enjoys saying Hi! to Zoe, rubbing my belly and hugging it. Its sweet, I'm sure he knows mommy is going trough something and maybe that there is truly a baby inside, who knows. Siblings are great, I know he'll be happy to be a big brother. Thanks Virginia for the Big Brother to be t-shirt you gave us and Zoe's first pair of shoes.

October is an important month for us. It will be our third wedding anniversary. I've been looking at our wedding pictures and Levi's first year album and feel overjoyed to have been so blessed and know that we are sealed for all time and eternity. Every one in the world can receive these blessings, it just a matter of choosing to have them. Heavenly Father loves all His children, it's true. Once you know of His love, it will change your life forever.
October is going by pretty quickly, we were sick for 2 weeks, Thanksgiving dinner with my and Ben's family,had a Swap event at Virginia's (it was a hit!) and will be going to a Baby Halloween Party. Levi will be Yoda this year, Ben as Darth Vader and hopefully I will find mine soon.
Ben is crazy busy these days with school and work, he has been lacking sleep all week. He is currently having a nap with Levi. I love seeing them together awake and asleep. We are so blessed.

Funny story this week. Levi was snooping under the bathroom sink and found one of my pads (new of course) and called it "cheese". He was confused with the Velvita cheese squares I purchased last week. He is a cheese monster. We had a good laugh.

Hips don't lie.

My hips don't lie, I am extra curvy these days, pregnancy can do that to you.
Summer has been all about family. Kids growing, a baby born and visits from family.
August started with my birthday, I'm getting old. I feel that I need to get the babies popping, because my time is running out. Levi is now 18 months and baby#2 is on its way, crossing our fingers for January 2012.
A few weeks ago we found out that we are having a girl. I screamed my lungs out in the car, when Ben opened the envelop and showed the pink cookie. Just what I was hoping for. During the ultrasound we saw her squirm, suck on her lips and thumb, rolling and saw her crossing her legs (she's a lady). She is gorgeous and looks like his daddy, that nose is a Cole. It is not a button nose like Levi but a straight pointy nose. Levi did get the reddish tint, that was amazing. I find he looks like my mom but his head shape is growing to be like his daddy and has a long torso like him too. The shirt I put on him today, looked too short and it's size 18months.

Levi is growing so fast, he is now going to nursery, drinking from a cup, sorting and lining up his cars,swimming in puddles, taking naps in his bunk bed and understanding more short instructions. Today in the car he was signing the alphabet and burped in the middle of it. We are working on manners, it will come.
We bought him this week an Elmo stuffed animal and a baby doll. We were told the baby doll would prepare him having another little person around. It does not have a name , like our unborn baby, for now her name is "bebe". She's been sleeping in his crib during the day, he knows that babies need a crib to sleep in and that means sharing.
Tonight at our home, we had Ola & Noah, Suzette & Devyn over. Levi can share, is gentle but sometimes not so much. I am just glad he's not violent. Our kids are growing together, they are months apart and learning about the same things. My hope is that they will remain friends during adolescence, it's really tough to be LDS when you're in highschool. I would know, I was the only member at my school.  These mommies are wonderful and strong believers.

Our goal these days is to find baby#2 a name, Levi to know about 200 words before he is 2 years old and enjoy the rest of the summer . 






     

Writing on the wall.

"Writing on the wall" what does this really mean? In our home it means Levi's scribbles all over our white walls. Thankfully, this time it was pencil, Ben had to use the eraser to fix it. Ouff!
This summer, we have been enjoying the sunny hot weather and spending time outside. We bought the year before a kiddie pool, cost less than 10$ and have used it over 5 times. Advice:buy items at the end of season, things go on sale for good prices. It was a great purchase and well worth it. He's not only been swimming in the baby pool but also the lake,the  inside and outside pool, splash pad. He has been swimming in style with one of the cutest swimsuits, frog suit with matching hat. We have received lots of compliments.

 Today, it was our family day. Ben had the day off and we biked for over 3 hours. I biked and pulled the bike trailer with Levi in it and Ben roller skated all the way. We didn't stop once we got home, oh no, right away we changed and went for a swim. So, I'm exhausted, my quads are hurting, my butt is sore but I feel great. Remember folks, I am a pregnant lady, I  biked while pulling her toddler and was going mostly uphill during this adventure. I did quit on my way back, I was a block away from home when I decided to walk the rest of the way home. I just couldn't do it, I was feeling sick. I am proud of each other, it was long. As for Levi, he had a nap on the way there and back, but did stop at half way , he went on the swing and went to the splash pad. We will be doing this again soon.
Other news: we are having my family over soon and will be seeing more family the week after and Ben got an A on his Clinical psychology class. I have a smart husband.
Summertime is great!

He knows!!!

I caught Levi in his room with the bottom dresser drawer opened and emptied on the floor. He knows how to open drawers and jars. He didn't stop there, he opened the kitchen drawers and emptied what he could, while mommy was trying to pick up the rest. ARG... and thumbs up for you baby, you're so smart. It does mean more work, to tidy things up but it was meant to happen.
Levi has been saying new words, two of my favorites this week is "please" and "mango". He is now enjoying trying to blow bubbles, coloring, playing in puddles and using his utensils and cup. For comfort he has been sucking on his bottom lip and touching his and my belly button.
 Ben, my wonderful husband. He made a toy wooden chest for Levi's toys. Amazing! I showed my dad and ,said he needed one too. Its a light wood with a padded blue leather seat/cover, that matches perfectly with his bed comforter. He is talented. He is soon going to finish his summer courses and finally get somewhat break from it all. Levi's father's day gift to daddy was peeing on the toilet seat, one drop might have gone in the toilet.
As for me ,my tummy is growing. If you didn't know me well enough, you'd think I was fat but really its a baby bump. I have geared up on summer clothes, yoga shorts, and one bigger t-shirts. Pregnancy has been better to me, less barfing but more blotting and other unpleasant things. Our bathroom is cleaned regularly, almost every day, it needs to because I'm spending lots of time there. I'm excited and looking forward to that first ultrasound to see our baby and to know if its a girl or a boy. I like to ask Levi where the baby is, he points to my belly. He will soon be the Big Brother.